Chapter 36 - Match 36

In all honesty Mikael felt really bad. Mark was the best friend who was dragged into this without an actual reason and he was being affected by everything just because he was a good friend. He had disappeared with Alex back then and no one was looking for him. Alex was too shocked by the incident so he couldn't blame him and Luke…he would be perfectly fine if he had disappeared for good. 

It wasn't the same though for his best friend. He had been searching Mark for hours going through empty form rooms and basements. He even checked the huge fridges they had in the kitchen where they kept the meat and the vegetables. He almost froze to death while looking for him, pushing the dead animals from side to side so he could get a better view of the place but Mark was nowhere to be found. 

It was past midnight when he finally found the red head. At first he didn't even think of that particular storage because it was out of usage for many years. He knew thought that the Alpha used to bring nuances in that room to get rid of them in secret. The place was filled with spiders and bugs and the more you headed deeper into the dark corridor the more you felt like you were entering an alternate universe. One filled with decay and the intense smell of mold lingering in the air. 

He pushed the heavy door with his shoulder and entered the room, instantly realizing the smell of blood that entered his nostrils. His heart sped up in worry, thinking this could be Mark's blood so he headed in a hurry for the lights. As they flickered he managed to spot the unconscious boy. 

Once they were fully on and that chirping sound that was like a fly that was roaming around your ear stopped he exhaled relieved. He seemed fine except for the fact that he was hanged upside down from the ceiling and he had fainted probably from the blood that rushed to his head, or his fear being all alone in the dark for so long. 

He walked towards him and with his sharp nails he cut the rope, grabbing the boy in his arms and placing it gently on the floor. He mumbled a sorry for filling his clothes with blood once again. Someone had to clean this place up or it would get filled with worms and smell like actual death, the metallic smell was overwhelming enough. 

Mikael shook him up gently but Mark just frowned not opening his eyes. He called out his name a few times but he didn't get a response either. He stood still for a while placing his hand on his jaw thinking of what he should do. 

"There goes nothing" he said and tried a different approach. 

"What the hell?" Mark instantly shouted and jumped up completely awake. He placed his palm on his cheek where a huge red mark was starting to form. 

He had slapped him, obviously not with full strength because he could probably break his jaw but still it was pretty intense, maybe a bit more intense than he intended. It didn't matter that much though since the ginger was finally awake and in perfectly fine health as he was able to swear at him and give him that very entertaining death stare. 

"Are you insane?" Mark shouted while rubbing his cheek. 

"That's not a very nice way to talk to your savior" 

"My what?" he said and looked around slowly remembering what had happened hours ago. When his eyes landed on the disgusting floor he stood immediately with a disgusting expression, wiping his hands on his jeans leaving even more bloody stains. "Eeew" he exclaimed and made Mikael laugh who was actually perfectly clean because he had only crouched down careful all the time not to touch anything. At the realization that he was the only one looking like a fresh abstract painting Mark glared at him even harder. 

"What is it honey?" he asked him with a grin. 

"Nothing. I want to get to my room. Take me there." He said. Mikael grinned harder looking like a trouble maker and crossed his arms on his chest.

"Not even a thank you. Where are your manners rich boy?"

"Thank you" he whispered while looking away. Even if he didn't want to admit it, he was right. Mark should at least help him for saving him. 

"I'm sorry what? I couldn't hear you." He joked bringing his palm close to hear. 

"Well pity because I am not saying it again. Where is Alex? Is he okay?"

"Yeas. He is with Luke in your room."

"Perfect so I am going to sleep in some bench or something" he said and followed Mikael who had started to had outside.

"We couldn't let our little young master do that, could we? I mean your well raised self could not stand the cold night" he said dramatically, placing his hand on his forehead, stating some fake sorrow. 

"I'm going to spit on you" 

"Feisty." He answered and he winked."Come on you will sleep in my room tonight, but first you need a shower you smell like a rare steak"

"I bet I smell really tasty to a dog like you" Mark spat back and Mikael started laughing. 

The blond boy had a lot in his head lately. He was filled with worries about what's going to happen in the future. They were definitely going to face a lot of new challenges and that on its self was very stressing, not knowing what tomorrow would bring. At the same time though he felt good. Especially on these small moments that he could joke with Mark, tease him and see him flustered. It was a change after the many years he had been all alone. Mark in many ways resembled Scarlet and deep inside the wolf had caught himself wishing that this boy next to him was his mate reincarnated but he was sure that luck wasn't on his side. He would be okay though, as long as Mark wanted to be his friend, it would be fine. He knew that nothing good would result in being greedy. 

Despite his slight whining Mark listened to Mikael and gladly accepted the pair of warm pajamas he offered him after his shower. 

It was a striped pair of too long pants, that his legs completely and dragged the fabric in the ground, in the colors of mint and black and in Mark's mind popped up the image of a mint chocolate ice cream making his mouth water, he also threw at him a same colored mint shirt with long sleeves, that obviously were a lot longer than his arms. 

"Matching pajamas"

"I like it when the colors match." He explained and led him to his room. 

It wasn't exactly how he had imagined it. From what he had observed the whole compound was a bit bland when it came to decorations or any style at all. Very basic and it had wood almost everywhere, something that didn't really excite Mark as he had been raised with a mother who always wanted to be unbelievably stylish and elegant. 

So Mikael's room was quite a pleasant surprise. The walls were filled with posters of popular rock bands and in the middle of the room there was a huge double bed, with dark red sheets. Opposite of the bed was a black matte closet and on the floor he had laid a very fluffy and warm white carpet. In one corner of the room there was, in a stand, a red bass guitar and a small glass desk was fitted in the space between the bed and the wall on the right. With a few red shelves on the wall that were filled almost to the brim with music books. Even though it didn't match the description of elegant it was definitely stylish and well decorated. He had taken advantage of the small space and had created a very cozy and warm room. 

"I know it looks good" he said with a proud smile. "It took me a while to smuggle everything inside." He said and jumped on his bed, lying down. He patted the spot next to him with a cheeky smile. "Come here sweetie."

"Don't call me sweetie" Mark said and laid down next to him none the less. He really needed to rest for a while. He had realized that it was already late and his eyes were already getting heavy. "Why did you have to smuggle it?"

"We have rules. Of living a simple life with no luxury."

"Well that doesn't sound so much fun" he commented and yawned. "Mikael, I'm worried about Alex. I know that something is off. I can feel it." 

"Alex will be safe"

"We got kidnapped on our first day here" he told him. "He has so many questions but he is scared to ask. He is scared that Luke will lie to him and that's why he doesn't talk. What happened to his mother and father? What is going on with all those secret meetings and why was Luke so upset about that party?"

"I can't tell you Mark."

"Then how can we live here if no one trusts us?" he asked him as he placed his head better in the pillow. He wasn't upset. He didn't have the physical strength to actually be but he was curious and worried. He considered Mikael a bit better than Luke but for that reason it was highly unlikely that he would betray his friend. 

"So you are going to stay here too?" Mikael asked trying to change the subject.

"Yeah…but there is no way I'm not bringing my play station. No matter what your rules…about…luxury….are" he tried to finish his sentence but sleep was already embracing him. His chocolate eyes hid behind his eyelids and his breathing became heavy and slow. 

Mikael grabbed a blanket from the closet trying not to make any noise and gently covered him so he wouldn't be cold all night. He closed his eyes next to him with a smile lingering on his lips.

"I'm glad you will stay." He said to no one in particular and soon after he fell asleep too. 

...

Hello everyone! I hope you liked this chapter. Please support this book if you can. Thanks for reading!!!

I am thinking of recommending a song for every chapter to set the mood while you read...what do you think?